Wide angle imaging directional backlights

ABSTRACT

An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. In operation, luminance streaks and bright illumination regions may be formed due to undesirable imaging characteristics from the structure of the Fresnel mirror. Fresnel mirror draft facets and reflective facet microstructures are provided that achieve reduction of visibility of light streaks and bright illumination regions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/146,648, entitled “Wide Angle Imaging Directional Backlights”filed Apr. 13, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/154,932,entitled “Wide Angle Imaging Directional Backlights” filed Apr. 30,2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/167,185, entitled “WideAngle Imaging Directional Backlights” filed May 27, 2015, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/255,248, entitled “Wide AngleImaging Directional Backlights” filed Nov. 13, 2015, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/167,203, entitled “Wide AngleImaging Directional Backlights” filed May 27, 2015, all of which areherein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to illumination of light modulationdevices, and more specifically relates to light guides for providinglarge area illumination from localized light sources for use in 2D, 3D,and/or autostereoscopic display devices.

BACKGROUND

Spatially multiplexed autostereoscopic displays typically align aparallax component such as a lenticular screen or parallax barrier withan array of images arranged as at least first and second sets of pixelson a spatial light modulator, for example an LCD. The parallax componentdirects light from each of the sets of pixels into different respectivedirections to provide first and second viewing windows in front of thedisplay. An observer with an eye placed in the first viewing window cansee a first image with light from the first set of pixels; and with aneye placed in the second viewing window can see a second image, withlight from the second set of pixels.

Such displays have reduced spatial resolution compared to the nativeresolution of the spatial light modulator and further, the structure ofthe viewing windows is determined by the pixel aperture shape andparallax component imaging function. Gaps between the pixels, forexample for electrodes, typically produce non-uniform viewing windows.Undesirably such displays exhibit image flicker as an observer moveslaterally with respect to the display and so limit the viewing freedomof the display. Such flicker can be reduced by defocusing the opticalelements; however such defocusing results in increased levels of imagecross talk and increases visual strain for an observer. Such flicker canbe reduced by adjusting the shape of the pixel aperture, however suchchanges can reduce display brightness and can comprise addressingelectronics in the spatial light modulator.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a directional illuminationapparatus may include an imaging directional backlight for directinglight, an illuminator array for providing light to the imagingdirectional backlight. The imaging directional backlight may include awaveguide for guiding light. The waveguide may include a first lightguiding surface and a second light guiding surface, opposite the firstlight guiding surface.

Display backlights in general employ waveguides and edge emittingsources. Certain imaging directional backlights have the additionalcapability of directing the illumination through a display panel intoviewing windows. An imaging system may be formed between multiplesources and the respective window images. One example of an imagingdirectional backlight is an optical valve that may employ a foldedoptical system and hence may also be an example of a folded imagingdirectional backlight. Light may propagate substantially without loss inone direction through the optical valve while counter-propagating lightmay be extracted by reflection off tilted facets as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/300,293 (U.S. Pat. Publ. No.2012/0127573), which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Directional backlights provide illumination through a waveguide withdirections within the waveguide imaged to viewing windows. Diverginglight from light sources at the input end and propagating within thewaveguide is provided with reduced divergence, and typically collimated,by a curved reflecting mirror at a reflecting end of the waveguide andis imaged towards a viewing window by means of curved light extractionfeatures or a lens such as a Fresnel lens. For the on-axis viewingwindow, the collimated light is substantially parallel to the edges of arectangular shaped waveguide and so light is output across the entirearea of the waveguide towards the viewing window. For off-axispositions, the direction of the collimated light is not parallel to theedges of a rectangular waveguide but is inclined at a non-zero angle.Thus a non-illuminated (or void) outer portion (that may be triangularin shape) is formed between one edge of the collimated beam and therespective edge of the waveguide. Ideally, no light is directed to therespective viewing window from within the outer portion and the displaywill appear dark in this region. It would be desirable to reduce theappearance of the dark outer portions for off-axis viewing positions sothat more of the area of the waveguide can be used to illuminate aspatial light modulator, advantageously reducing system size and cost.

In general with this and related imaging directional backlight systems,not all the backlight area may be useable due to vignetting at highangles. Modification of the system may overcome this limitation byintroducing light into regions that are void. Such modified illuminationapparatus embodiments may lead to increased brightness, localindependent illumination and directional capabilities.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure a directionalwaveguide may comprise: an input end; first and second opposed,laterally extending guide surfaces for guiding light along thewaveguide; and a reflective end facing the input end for reflecting theinput light back along the waveguide, the second guide surface beingarranged to deflect the reflected input light through the first guidesurface as output light, and the waveguide being arranged to direct theoutput light into optical windows in output directions that aredistributed in a lateral direction in dependence on the input positionof the input light, wherein the reflective end is a Fresnel reflectorcomprising alternating reflective facets and draft facets, thereflective facets providing the Fresnel reflector with positive opticalpower laterally, and, in at least a center region of the Fresnelreflector, the depth of the draft facets parallel to the optical axis ofthe reflective end being greater than the depth of the reflectivefacets. The pitch of the reflective facets laterally across thereflective end may be constant. The width of the reflective facetslaterally across the reflective end is at most one mm. The depth of eachof the draft facets may be at least 0.5 μm. The height of the reflectiveend between the first and second guide surfaces may have a profile thatis flat. The first guide surface may be arranged to guide light by totalinternal reflection and the second guide surface may comprise aplurality of light extraction features oriented to direct light guidedalong the waveguide in directions allowing exit through the first guidesurface as the output light and intermediate regions between the lightextraction features that are arranged to guide light along thewaveguide. The second guide surface may have a stepped shape in whichsaid light extraction features are facets between the intermediateregions. The light extraction features may have positive optical powerin the lateral direction.

Advantageously a Fresnel reflector may be provided with substantiallyuniform scatter in a lateral direction, thus achieving increased displayuniformity.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure a directionalwaveguide may comprise: an input end; first and second opposed,laterally extending guide surfaces for guiding light along thewaveguide; and a reflective end facing the input end for reflecting theinput light back along the waveguide, the second guide surface beingarranged to deflect the reflected input light through the first guidesurface as output light, and the waveguide being arranged to direct theoutput light into optical windows in output directions that aredistributed in a lateral direction in dependence on the input positionof the input light, wherein the reflective end is a Fresnel reflectorcomprising alternating reflective facets and draft facets, thereflective facets providing the Fresnel reflector with positive opticalpower laterally, wherein the internal angles between adjacent draftfacets and reflective facets are the same.

In privacy mode of operation of a directional display apparatus foroff-axis viewing it is desirable to minimize the luminance across thewhole display area. Internal reflections from draft facets of a Fresnelreflector that are for example substantially parallel may provideincreased luminance artefact regions. Advantageously according to thesecond aspect, the luminance of the artefact regions may be reduced incomparison to Fresnel reflectors comprising parallel draft facets.Further, coating efficiency may be improved, thus achieving increaseddisplay luminance and lateral uniformity.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure a directionalwaveguide may comprise: an input end; first and second opposed,laterally extending guide surfaces for guiding light along thewaveguide; and a reflective end facing the input end for reflecting theinput light back along the waveguide, the second guide surface beingarranged to deflect the reflected input light through the first guidesurface as output light, and the waveguide being arranged to direct theoutput light into optical windows in output directions that aredistributed in a lateral direction in dependence on the input positionof the input light, wherein the reflective end is a Fresnel reflectorcomprising alternating reflective facets and draft facets, thereflective facets providing the Fresnel reflector with positive opticalpower laterally, each reflective facet having a microstructure arrangedto provide lateral angular diffusion of the light reflected therefrom.

The microstructure comprises a plurality of curved sub-facets. Thecurved sub-facets may be concave or convex, as both may provide thelateral angular diffusion.

In wide angle operation of a directional display apparatus for off-axisviewing it is desirable to minimize streak artefacts that arise fromimaging of gaps between light sources of the input light source array.In privacy operation of such a display it is desirable to minimizescatter that arises from sheet diffusers and may increase the amount oflight seen for off-axis viewing. Advantageously, according to thepresent aspect, streak artefacts can be reduced by providing diffusioncharacteristics from the facets of the Fresnel reflector. Further, theamount of diffusion from the Fresnel reflector can be controlled toreduce scatter in comparison to a sheet diffuser, minimizing luminancefor off-axis viewing and improving privacy performance.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure a directionalwaveguide may comprise: an input end; first and second opposed,laterally extending guide surfaces for guiding light along thewaveguide; and a reflective end facing the input end for reflecting theinput light back along the waveguide, the second guide surface beingarranged to deflect the reflected input light through the first guidesurface as output light, and the waveguide being arranged to direct theoutput light into optical windows in output directions that aredistributed in a lateral direction in dependence on the input positionof the input light, wherein the reflective end is a Fresnel reflectorcomprising alternating reflective facets and draft facets, thereflective facets providing the Fresnel reflector with positive opticalpower laterally, and the draft facets being arranged to have a lowerreflectivity than the reflective facets.

In privacy mode of operation of a directional display apparatus foroff-axis viewing it is desirable to minimize the luminance across thewhole display area. Internal reflections from reflectively coated draftfacets of a Fresnel reflector may provide increased luminance artefactregions. Advantageously according to the third aspect, the luminance ofthe artefact regions may be reduced in comparison to Fresnel reflectorscomprising draft facets with substantially the same reflectivity as thereflective facets.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure a directionalbacklight may comprise: a directional waveguide according to the any ofthe above aspects; and an array of input light sources arranged atdifferent input positions in a lateral direction across the input end ofthe waveguide and arranged to input light into the waveguide.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure a directionaldisplay device may comprise a directional backlight according to theabove aspect; and a transmissive spatial light modulator arranged toreceive the output light from the waveguide and to modulate it todisplay an image.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure a directionaldisplay apparatus may comprise a directional display device according tothe above aspect; and a control system arranged to control the lightsources.

Advantageously an array of optical windows can be formed, to provide acontrollable directionality of optical output. The optical windows canbe arranged to provide modes of operation that may be switched between(i) wide viewing angle mode that has similar spatial and angularuniformity to conventional non-imaging backlights, (ii) autostereoscopic3D mode, (iii) privacy mode, (iv) dual view mode, (v) power savingsmode, and (vi) efficient high luminance mode for outdoors operation.

Any of the aspects of the present disclosure may be applied in anycombination.

Embodiments herein may provide an autostereoscopic display that provideswide angle viewing which may allow for directional viewing andconventional 2D compatibility. The wide angle viewing mode may be forobserver tracked autostereoscopic 3D display, observer tracked 2Ddisplay (for example for privacy or power saving applications), for wideviewing angle 2D display or for wide viewing angle stereoscopic 3Ddisplay. Further, embodiments may provide a controlled illuminator forthe purposes of an efficient autostereoscopic display. Such componentscan be used in directional backlights, to provide directional displaysincluding autostereoscopic displays. Additionally, embodiments mayrelate to a directional backlight apparatus and a directional displaywhich may incorporate the directional backlight apparatus. Such anapparatus may be used for autostereoscopic displays, privacy displays,multi-user displays and other directional display applications that mayachieve for example power savings operation and/or high luminanceoperation.

Embodiments herein may provide an autostereoscopic display with largearea and thin structure. Further, as will be described, the opticalvalves of the present disclosure may achieve thin optical componentswith large back working distances. Such components can be used indirectional backlights, to provide directional displays includingautostereoscopic displays. Further, embodiments may provide a controlledilluminator for the purposes of an efficient autostereoscopic display.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in a variety ofoptical systems. The embodiment may include or work with a variety ofprojectors, projection systems, optical components, displays,microdisplays, computer systems, processors, self-contained projectorsystems, visual and/or audiovisual systems and electrical and/or opticaldevices. Aspects of the present disclosure may be used with practicallyany apparatus related to optical and electrical devices, opticalsystems, presentation systems or any apparatus that may contain any typeof optical system. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosuremay be employed in optical systems, devices used in visual and/oroptical presentations, visual peripherals and so on and in a number ofcomputing environments.

Before proceeding to the disclosed embodiments in detail, it should beunderstood that the disclosure is not limited in its application orcreation to the details of the particular arrangements shown, becausethe disclosure is capable of other embodiments. Moreover, aspects of thedisclosure may be set forth in different combinations and arrangementsto define embodiments unique in their own right. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Directional backlights offer control over the illumination emanatingfrom substantially the entire output surface controlled typicallythrough modulation of independent LED light sources arranged at theinput aperture side of an optical waveguide. Controlling the emittedlight directional distribution can achieve single person viewing for asecurity function, where the display can only be seen by a single viewerfrom a limited range of angles; high electrical efficiency, whereillumination is primarily provided over a small angular directionaldistribution; alternating left and right eye viewing for time sequentialstereoscopic and autostereoscopic display; and low cost.

These and other advantages and features of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingFIGURES, in which like reference numbers indicate similar parts, and inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of lightpropagation in one embodiment of a directional display device, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of lightpropagation in one embodiment of the directional display device of FIG.1A, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating in a top view of lightpropagation in another embodiment of a directional display device, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating light propagation in a frontview of the directional display device of FIG. 2A, in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating light propagation in a sideview of the directional display device of FIG. 2A, in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating in a side view of adirectional display device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating in a front view, generationof a viewing window in a directional display device including curvedlight extraction features, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating in a front view, generationof a first and a second viewing window in a directional display deviceincluding curved light extraction features, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating generation of a first viewingwindow in a directional display device including linear light extractionfeatures, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of thegeneration of a first viewing window in a time multiplexed directionaldisplay device in a first time slot, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of thegeneration of a second viewing window in a time multiplexed directionaldisplay device in a second time slot, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of thegeneration of a first and a second viewing window in a time multiplexeddirectional display device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an observer trackingautostereoscopic directional display device, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multi-viewer directionaldisplay device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a privacy directional displaydevice, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating in side view, the structureof a time multiplexed directional display device, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a directional displayapparatus comprising a directional display device and a control system,in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating in side view, the structureof a directional display device comprising a wedge waveguide, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top, front and bottomviews a stepped imaging waveguide comprising a continuously curvedmirror end and rectangular mirror and input ends, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating variation of luminance with lateralposition for the waveguide arrangements of FIG. 13, in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top, front and bottomviews a stepped imaging waveguide comprising a Fresnel reflector end andrectangular mirror and input ends, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view reflectionefficiency at the facets of a Fresnel reflector, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view a coatingmethod for a Fresnel reflector with fixed draft angle, in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view reflectionefficiency at the facets of a Fresnel reflector with incompletemetallization of reflective facets, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view a coatingmethod for a Fresnel reflector with variable draft angle, in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are schematic diagrams illustrating in front viewcutting of molds for a reflective end for first and second draft angles,in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are schematic diagrams illustrating in front viewrelease of a reflective end from a mold during a mold release step forfirst and second draft angles, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 24 is a photograph illustrating patterning artifact arising from atooling quantization error in the center of a Fresnel reflector, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a schematic graph illustrating the height of facets in thecenter of a Fresnel mirror comprising a central region with facets ofincreased width compared to the outer regions, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view diffraction oflight from the facets of the Fresnel mirror of FIG. 25, in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view the change inphase height of adjacent facets of a Fresnel mirror, in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are schematic diagrams illustrating in front viewthe origin of the patterning artifact of FIG. 24, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 30A is a schematic graph illustrating a correction of thepatterning artifact of FIG. 24, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 30B is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view diffractionof light from the facets of the Fresnel mirror of FIG. 30A, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view the change inphase height of adjacent facets of a Fresnel mirror in a central regionof FIG. 30A, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view a correctionof the patterning artifact of FIG. 24, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B are schematic diagrams illustrating a furtherFresnel reflector design arranged to modify diffusion characteristics ofthe Fresnel mirror, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 34A is a schematic diagram illustrating in perspective front view,the location of bright triangles in a directional display operating inPrivacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axis viewing position, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 34B and FIG. 34C are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view,optical raytraces illustrating the formation of bright triangles in adirectional display operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer inan off-axis viewing position, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37, FIG. 38, and FIG. 39 are schematic diagramsillustrating in front view, ray paths that contribute to brighttriangles in a directional display operating in Privacy mode as seen foran observer in an off-axis viewing position, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 40A and FIG. 40B are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view,ray paths in a waveguide comprising reflectively coated reflectivefacets and draft facets that have a reduced reflectance, in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 40C is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, ray paths ina waveguide comprising reflectively coated reflective facets and diffusedraft facets, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with a vertical draft facet, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with an inclined draft facet, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with an absorbing draft facet, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising a constant internal angle, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 45 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with a constant internal angle, in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 46 and FIG. 47 are photographs illustrating streak artefacts foroff axis viewing of a directional display with planar Fresnel mirrorfacets, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising vertical drafts and planar reflecting facets, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising vertical drafts and curved reflecting facets, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 50 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising planar drafts, curved reflecting facets and aconstant internal angle, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 51 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with a constant internal angle and curved reflectivefacets, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 52 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising curved drafts, curved reflecting facets and aconstant internal angle, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, the centralregion of a Fresnel reflector comprising curved reflecting facets and aconstant internal angle, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 54 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a diamond forcutting curved facets and planar draft of a Fresnel mirror tool, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 55 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view of a Fresnelreflector comprising concave microstructured facets, in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 56 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view of a Fresnelreflector comprising convex microstructured facets, in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 57 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view of a Fresnelreflector comprising microstructured facets with multiple diffusioncharacteristics across a facet, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 58 is a schematic diagram illustrating in perspective view, thestructure of a directional display device comprising an directionalbacklight arranged with a spatial light modulator, in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 59A is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalvalve comprising a side light source arranged to achieve an on-axisoptical window, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 59B is a schematic diagram illustrating in side view, an opticalvalve comprising a side light source arranged to achieve an on-axisoptical window, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 59C is a schematic diagram illustrating in perspective view, theformation of first and second optical windows by edge and side lightsources with a valve with arrangement similar to that shown in FIGS.59A-B, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 59D is a schematic diagram illustrating in perspective view, thestructure of a directional display device comprising a directionalbacklight comprising a side light source arranged with a spatial lightmodulator, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Time multiplexed autostereoscopic displays can advantageously improvethe spatial resolution of autostereoscopic display by directing lightfrom all of the pixels of a spatial light modulator to a first viewingwindow in a first time slot, and all of the pixels to a second viewingwindow in a second time slot. Thus an observer with eyes arranged toreceive light in first and second viewing windows will see a fullresolution image across the whole of the display over multiple timeslots. Time multiplexed displays can advantageously achieve directionalillumination by directing an illuminator array through a substantiallytransparent time multiplexed spatial light modulator using directionaloptical elements, wherein the directional optical elements substantiallyform an image of the illuminator array in the window plane.

The uniformity of the viewing windows may be advantageously independentof the arrangement of pixels in the spatial light modulator.Advantageously, such displays can provide observer tracking displayswhich have low flicker, with low levels of cross talk for a movingobserver.

To achieve high uniformity in the window plane, it is desirable toprovide an array of illumination elements that have a high spatialuniformity. The illuminator elements of the time sequential illuminationsystem may be provided, for example, by pixels of a spatial lightmodulator with size approximately 100 micrometers in combination with alens array. However, such pixels suffer from similar difficulties as forspatially multiplexed displays. Further, such devices may have lowefficiency and higher cost, requiring additional display components.

High window plane uniformity can be conveniently achieved withmacroscopic illuminators, for example, an array of LEDs in combinationwith homogenizing and diffusing optical elements that are typically ofsize 1 mm or greater. However, the increased size of the illuminatorelements means that the size of the directional optical elementsincreases proportionately. For example, a 16 mm wide illuminator imagedto a 65 mm wide viewing window may require a 200 mm back workingdistance. Thus, the increased thickness of the optical elements canprevent useful application, for example, to mobile displays, or largearea displays.

Addressing the aforementioned shortcomings, optical valves as describedin commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/300,293 (U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012/0127573), herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, advantageously can be arranged in combination with fastswitching transmissive spatial light modulators to achieve timemultiplexed autostereoscopic illumination in a thin package whileproviding high resolution images with flicker free observer tracking andlow levels of cross talk. Described is a one dimensional array ofviewing positions, or windows, that can display different images in afirst, typically horizontal, direction, but contain the same images whenmoving in a second, typically vertical, direction.

Conventional non-imaging display backlights commonly employ opticalwaveguides and have edge illumination from light sources such as LEDs.However, it should be appreciated that there are many fundamentaldifferences in the function, design, structure, and operation betweensuch conventional non-imaging display backlights and the imagingdirectional backlights discussed in the present disclosure.

Generally, for example, in accordance with the present disclosure,imaging directional backlights are arranged to direct the illuminationfrom multiple light sources through a display panel to respectivemultiple viewing windows in at least one axis. Each viewing window issubstantially formed as an image in at least one axis of a light sourceby the imaging system of the imaging directional backlight. An imagingsystem may be formed between multiple light sources and the respectivewindow images. In this manner, the light from each of the multiple lightsources is substantially not visible for an observer's eye outside ofthe respective viewing window.

In contradistinction, conventional non-imaging backlights or lightguiding plates (LGPs) are used for illumination of 2D displays. See,e.g., Kälil Käläntär et al., Backlight Unit With Double Surface LightEmission, J. Soc. Inf. Display, Vol. 12, Issue 4, pp. 379-387 (December2004). Non-imaging backlights are typically arranged to direct theillumination from multiple light sources through a display panel into asubstantially common viewing zone for each of the multiple light sourcesto achieve wide viewing angle and high display uniformity. Thusnon-imaging backlights do not form viewing windows. In this manner, thelight from each of the multiple light sources may be visible for anobserver's eye at substantially all positions across the viewing zone.Such conventional non-imaging backlights may have some directionality,for example, to increase screen gain compared to Lambertianillumination, which may be provided by brightness enhancement films suchas BEF™ from 3M. However, such directionality may be substantially thesame for each of the respective light sources. Thus, for these reasonsand others that should be apparent to persons of ordinary skill,conventional non-imaging backlights are different to imaging directionalbacklights. Edge lit non-imaging backlight illumination structures maybe used in liquid crystal display systems such as those seen in 2DLaptops, Monitors and TVs. Light propagates from the edge of a lossywaveguide which may include sparse features; typically localindentations in the surface of the guide which cause light to be lostregardless of the propagation direction of the light.

As used herein, an optical valve is an optical structure that may be atype of light guiding structure or device referred to as, for example, alight valve, an optical valve directional backlight, and a valvedirectional backlight (“v-DBL”). In the present disclosure, opticalvalve is different to a spatial light modulator (even though spatiallight modulators may be sometimes generally referred to as a “lightvalve” in the art). One example of an imaging directional backlight isan optical valve that may employ a folded optical system. Light maypropagate substantially without loss in one direction through theoptical valve, may be incident on an imaging reflector, and maycounter-propagate such that the light may be extracted by reflection offtilted light extraction features, and directed to viewing windows asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/300,293 (U.S. Pat.Publ. No. 2012/0127573), which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

Additionally, as used herein, a stepped waveguide imaging directionalbacklight may be at least one of an optical valve. A stepped waveguideis a waveguide for an imaging directional backlight comprising awaveguide for guiding light, further comprising: a first light guidingsurface; and a second light guiding surface, opposite the first lightguiding surface, further comprising a plurality of light guidingfeatures interspersed with a plurality of extraction features arrangedas steps.

In operation, light may propagate within an exemplary optical valve in afirst direction from an input side to a reflective side and may betransmitted substantially without loss. Light may be reflected at thereflective side and propagates in a second direction substantiallyopposite the first direction. As the light propagates in the seconddirection, the light may be incident on light extraction features, whichare operable to redirect the light outside the optical valve. Stateddifferently, the optical valve generally allows light to propagate inthe first direction and may allow light to be extracted whilepropagating in the second direction.

The optical valve may achieve time sequential directional illuminationof large display areas. Additionally, optical elements may be employedthat are thinner than the back working distance of the optical elementsto direct light from macroscopic illuminators to a window plane. Suchdisplays may use an array of light extraction features arranged toextract light counter propagating in a substantially parallel waveguide.

Thin imaging directional backlight implementations for use with LCDshave been proposed and demonstrated by 3M, for example U.S. Pat. No.7,528,893; by Microsoft, for example U.S. Pat. No. 7,970,246 which maybe referred to herein as a “wedge type directional backlight;” by RealD,for example U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/300,293 (U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0127573) which may be referred to herein as an“optical valve” or “optical valve directional backlight,” all of whichare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present disclosure provides stepped waveguide imaging directionalbacklights in which light may reflect back and forth between theinternal faces of, for example, a stepped waveguide which may include afirst side and a first set of features. As the light travels along thelength of the stepped waveguide, the light may not substantially changeangle of incidence with respect to the first side and first set ofsurfaces and so may not reach the critical angle of the medium at theseinternal faces. Light extraction may be advantageously achieved by asecond set of surfaces (the step “risers”) that are inclined to thefirst set of surfaces (the step “treads”). Note that the second set ofsurfaces may not be part of the light guiding operation of the steppedwaveguide, but may be arranged to provide light extraction from thestructure. By contrast, a wedge type imaging directional backlight mayallow light to guide within a wedge profiled waveguide having continuousinternal surfaces. The optical valve is thus not a wedge type imagingdirectional backlight.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of lightpropagation in one embodiment of a directional display device, and FIG.1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of light propagationin the directional display device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view in the xy plane of a directionalbacklight of a directional display device, and includes an illuminatorarray 15 which may be used to illuminate a stepped waveguide 1.Illuminator array 15 includes illuminator elements 15 a throughilluminator element 15 n (where n is an integer greater than one). Inone example, the stepped waveguide 1 of FIG. 1A may be a stepped,display sized waveguide 1. Illumination elements 15 a through 15 n arelight sources that may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). Although LEDsare discussed herein as illuminator elements 15 a-15 n, other lightsources may be used such as, but not limited to, diode sources,semiconductor sources, laser sources, local field emission sources,organic emitter arrays, and so forth. Additionally, FIG. 1B illustratesa side view in the xz plane, and includes illuminator array 15, SLM 48,extraction features 12, guiding features 10, and stepped waveguide 1,arranged as shown. The side view provided in FIG. 1B is an alternativeview of the front view shown in FIG. 1A. Accordingly, the illuminatorarray 15 of FIGS. 1A and 1B corresponds to one another and the steppedwaveguide 1 of FIGS. 1A and 1B may correspond to one another.

Further, in FIG. 1B, the stepped waveguide 1 may have an input end 2that is thin and a reflective end 4 that is thick. Thus the waveguide 1extends between the input end 2 that receives input light and thereflective end 4 that reflects the input light back through thewaveguide 1. The length of the input end 2 in a lateral direction acrossthe waveguide is greater than the height of the input end 2. Theilluminator elements 15 a-15 n are disposed at different input positionsin a lateral direction across the input end 2.

The waveguide 1 has first and second, opposed guide surfaces extendingbetween the input end 2 and the reflective end 4 for guiding lightforwards and back along the waveguide 1. The second guide surface has aplurality of light extraction features 12 facing the reflective end 4and arranged to reflect at least some of the light guided back throughthe waveguide 1 from the reflective end from different input positionsacross the input end in different directions through the first guidesurface that are dependent on the input position.

In this example, the light extraction features 12 are reflective facets,although other reflective features could be used. The light extractionfeatures 12 do not guide light through the waveguide, whereas theintermediate regions of the second guide surface intermediate the lightextraction features 12 guide light without extracting it. Those regionsof the second guide surface are planar and may extend parallel to thefirst guide surface, or at a relatively low inclination. The lightextraction features 12 extend laterally to those regions so that thesecond guide surface has a stepped shape which may include the lightextraction features 12 and intermediate regions. The light extractionfeatures 12 are oriented to reflect light from the light sources, afterreflection from the reflective end 4, through the first guide surface.

The light extraction features 12 are arranged to direct input light fromdifferent input positions in the lateral direction across the input endin different directions relative to the first guide surface that aredependent on the input position. As the illumination elements 15 a-15 nare arranged at different input positions, the light from respectiveillumination elements 15 a-15 n is reflected in those differentdirections. In this manner, each of the illumination elements 15 a-15 ndirects light into a respective optical window in output directionsdistributed in the lateral direction in dependence on the inputpositions. The lateral direction across the input end 2 in which theinput positions are distributed corresponds with regard to the outputlight to a lateral direction to the normal to the first guide surface.The lateral directions as defined at the input end 2 and with regard tothe output light remain parallel in this embodiment where thedeflections at the reflective end 4 and the first guide surface aregenerally orthogonal to the lateral direction. Under the control of acontrol system, the illuminator elements 15 a-15 n may be selectivelyoperated to direct light into a selectable optical window. The opticalwindows may be used individually or in groups as viewing windows.

The SLM 48 extends across the waveguide and modulates the light outputtherefrom. Although the SLM 48 may a liquid crystal display (LCD), thisis merely by way of example and other spatial light modulators ordisplays may be used including LCOS, DLP devices, and so forth, as thisilluminator may work in reflection. In this example, the SLM 48 isdisposed across the first guide surface of the waveguide and modulatesthe light output through the first guide surface after reflection fromthe light extraction features 12.

The operation of a directional display device that may provide a onedimensional array of viewing windows is illustrated in front view inFIG. 1A, with its side profile shown in FIG. 1B. In operation, in FIGS.1A and 1B, light may be emitted from an illuminator array 15, such as anarray of illuminator elements 15 a through 15 n, located at differentpositions, y, along the surface of thin end side 2, x=0, of the steppedwaveguide 1. The light may propagate along +x in a first direction,within the stepped waveguide 1, while at the same time, the light mayfan out in the xy plane and upon reaching the far curved end side 4, maysubstantially or entirely fill the curved end side 4. While propagating,the light may spread out to a set of angles in the xz plane up to, butnot exceeding the critical angle of the guide material. The extractionfeatures 12 that link the guiding features 10 of the bottom side of thestepped waveguide 1 may have a tilt angle greater than the criticalangle and hence may be missed by substantially all light propagatingalong +x in the first direction, ensuring the substantially losslessforward propagation.

Continuing the discussion of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the curved end side 4 ofthe stepped waveguide 1 may be made reflective, typically by beingcoated with a reflective material such as, for example, silver, althoughother reflective techniques may be employed. Light may therefore beredirected in a second direction, back down the guide in the directionof −x and may be substantially collimated in the xy or display plane.The angular spread may be substantially preserved in the xz plane aboutthe principal propagation direction, which may allow light to hit theriser edges and reflect out of the guide. In an embodiment withapproximately 45 degree tilted extraction features 12, light may beeffectively directed approximately normal to the xy display plane withthe xz angular spread substantially maintained relative to thepropagation direction. This angular spread may be increased when lightexits the stepped waveguide 1 through refraction, but may be decreasedsomewhat dependent on the reflective properties of the extractionfeatures 12.

In some embodiments with uncoated extraction features 12, reflection maybe reduced when total internal reflection (TIR) fails, squeezing the xzangular profile and shifting off normal. However, in other embodimentshaving silver coated or metallized extraction features, the increasedangular spread and central normal direction may be preserved. Continuingthe description of the embodiment with silver coated extractionfeatures, in the xz plane, light may exit the stepped waveguide 1approximately collimated and may be directed off normal in proportion tothe y-position of the respective illuminator element 15 a-15 n inilluminator array 15 from the input edge center. Having independentilluminator elements 15 a-15 n along the input edge 2 then enables lightto exit from the entire first light directing side 6 and propagate atdifferent external angles, as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

Illuminating a spatial light modulator (SLM) 48 such as a fast liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel with such a device may achieveautostereoscopic 3D as shown in top view or yz-plane viewed from theilluminator array 15 end in FIG. 2A, front view in FIG. 2B and side viewin FIG. 2C. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating in a top view,propagation of light in a directional display device, FIG. 2B is aschematic diagram illustrating in a front view, propagation of light ina directional display device, and FIG. 2C is a schematic diagramillustrating in side view propagation of light in a directional displaydevice. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, a stepped waveguide 1may be located behind a fast (e.g., greater than 100 Hz) LCD panel SLM48 that displays sequential right and left eye images. Insynchronization, specific illuminator elements 15 a through 15 n ofilluminator array 15 (where n is an integer greater than one) may beselectively turned on and off, providing illuminating light that entersright and left eyes substantially independently by virtue of thesystem's directionality. In the simplest case, sets of illuminatorelements of illuminator array 15 are turned on together, providing a onedimensional viewing window 26 or an optical pupil with limited width inthe horizontal direction, but extended in the vertical direction, inwhich both eyes horizontally separated may view a left eye image, andanother viewing window 44 in which a right eye image may primarily beviewed by both eyes, and a central position in which both the eyes mayview different images. In this way, 3D may be viewed when the head of aviewer is approximately centrally aligned. Movement to the side awayfrom the central position may result in the scene collapsing onto a 2Dimage.

The reflective end 4 may have positive optical power in the lateraldirection across the waveguide. In embodiments in which typically thereflective end 4 has positive optical power, the optical axis may bedefined with reference to the shape of the reflective end 4, for examplebeing a line that passes through the center of curvature of thereflective end 4 and coincides with the axis of reflective symmetry ofthe end 4 about the x-axis. In the case that the reflecting surface 4 isflat, the optical axis may be similarly defined with respect to othercomponents having optical power, for example the light extractionfeatures 12 if they are curved, or the Fresnel lens 62 described below.The optical axis 238 is typically coincident with the mechanical axis ofthe waveguide 1. In the present embodiments that typically comprise asubstantially cylindrical reflecting surface at end 4, the optical axis238 is a line that passes through the center of curvature of the surfaceat end 4 and coincides with the axis of reflective symmetry of the side4 about the x-axis. The optical axis 238 is typically coincident withthe mechanical axis of the waveguide 1. The cylindrical reflectingsurface at end 4 may typically comprise a spherical profile to optimizeperformance for on-axis and off-axis viewing positions. Other profilesmay be used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating in side view a directionaldisplay device. Further, FIG. 3 illustrates additional detail of a sideview of the operation of a stepped waveguide 1, which may be atransparent material. The stepped waveguide 1 may include an illuminatorinput side 2, a reflective side 4, a first light directing side 6 whichmay be substantially planar, and a second light directing side 8 whichincludes guiding features 10 and light extraction features 12. Inoperation, light rays 16 from an illuminator element 15 c of anilluminator array 15 (not shown in FIG. 3), that may be an addressablearray of LEDs for example, may be guided in the stepped waveguide 1 bymeans of total internal reflection by the first light directing side 6and total internal reflection by the guiding feature 10, to thereflective side 4, which may be a mirrored surface. Although reflectiveside 4 may be a mirrored surface and may reflect light, it may in someembodiments also be possible for light to pass through reflective side4.

Continuing the discussion of FIG. 3, light ray 18 reflected by thereflective side 4 may be further guided in the stepped waveguide 1 bytotal internal reflection at the reflective side 4 and may be reflectedby extraction features 12. Light rays 18 that are incident on extractionfeatures 12 may be substantially deflected away from guiding modes ofthe stepped waveguide 1 and may be directed, as shown by ray 20, throughthe side 6 to an optical pupil that may form a viewing window 26 of anautostereoscopic display. The width of the viewing window 26 may bedetermined by at least the size of the illuminator, output designdistance and optical power in the side 4 and extraction features 12. Theheight of the viewing window may be primarily determined by thereflection cone angle of the extraction features 12 and the illuminationcone angle input at the input side 2. Thus each viewing window 26represents a range of separate output directions with respect to thesurface normal direction of the spatial light modulator 48 thatintersect with a plane at the nominal viewing distance.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view a directionaldisplay device which may be illuminated by a first illuminator elementand including curved light extraction features. Further, FIG. 4A showsin front view further guiding of light rays from illuminator element 15c of illuminator array 15, in the stepped waveguide 1. Each of theoutput rays are directed towards the same viewing window 26 from therespective illuminator 14. Thus light ray 30 may intersect the ray 20 inthe window 26, or may have a different height in the window as shown byray 32. Additionally, in various embodiments, sides 22, 24 of thewaveguide 1 may be transparent, mirrored, or blackened surfaces.Continuing the discussion of FIG. 4A, light extraction features 12 maybe elongate, and the orientation of light extraction features 12 in afirst region 34 of the light directing side 8 (light directing side 8shown in FIG. 3, but not shown in FIG. 4A) may be different to theorientation of light extraction features 12 in a second region 36 of thelight directing side 8.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view an opticalvalve which may illuminated by a second illuminator element. Further,FIG. 4B shows the light rays 40, 42 from a second illuminator element 15h of the illuminator array 15. The curvature of the reflective end onthe side 4 and the light extraction features 12 cooperatively produce asecond viewing window 44 laterally separated from the viewing window 26with light rays from the illuminator element 15 h.

Advantageously, the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4B may provide areal image of the illuminator element 15 c at a viewing window 26 inwhich the real image may be formed by cooperation of optical power inreflective side 4 and optical power which may arise from differentorientations of elongate light extraction features 12 between regions 34and 36, as shown in FIG. 4A. The arrangement of FIG. 4B may achieveimproved aberrations of the imaging of illuminator element 15 c tolateral positions in viewing window 26. Improved aberrations may achievean extended viewing freedom for an autostereoscopic display whileachieving low cross talk levels.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view an embodimentof a directional display device having substantially linear lightextraction features. Further, FIG. 5 shows a similar arrangement ofcomponents to FIG. 1 (with corresponding elements being similar), withone of the differences being that the light extraction features 12 aresubstantially linear and parallel to each other. Advantageously, such anarrangement may provide substantially uniform illumination across adisplay surface and may be more convenient to manufacture than thecurved extraction features of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of thegeneration of a first viewing window in a time multiplexed imagingdirectional display device in a first time slot, FIG. 6B is a schematicdiagram illustrating another embodiment of the generation of a secondviewing window in a time multiplexed imaging directional backlightapparatus in a second time slot, and FIG. 6C is a schematic diagramillustrating another embodiment of the generation of a first and asecond viewing window in a time multiplexed imaging directional displaydevice. Further, FIG. 6A shows schematically the generation ofillumination window 26 from stepped waveguide 1. Illuminator elementgroup 31 in illuminator array 15 may provide a light cone 17 directedtowards a viewing window 26. FIG. 6B shows schematically the generationof illumination window 44. Illuminator element group 33 in illuminatorarray 15 may provide a light cone 19 directed towards viewing window 44.In cooperation with a time multiplexed display, windows 26 and 44 may beprovided in sequence as shown in FIG. 6C. If the image on a spatiallight modulator 48 (not shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C) is adjusted incorrespondence with the light direction output, then an autostereoscopicimage may be achieved for a suitably placed viewer. Similar operationcan be achieved with all the directional backlights described herein.Note that illuminator element groups 31, 33 each include one or moreillumination elements from illumination elements 15 a to 15 n, where nis an integer greater than one.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of an observertracking autostereoscopic directional display device. As shown in FIG.7, selectively turning on and off illuminator elements 15 a to 15 nalong axis 29 provides for directional control of viewing windows. Thehead 45 position may be monitored with a camera, motion sensor, motiondetector, or any other appropriate optical, mechanical or electricalmeans, and the appropriate illuminator elements of illuminator array 15may be turned on and off to provide substantially independent images toeach eye irrespective of the head 45 position. The head tracking system(or a second head tracking system) may provide monitoring of more thanone head 45, 47 (head 47 not shown in FIG. 7) and may supply the sameleft and right eye images to each viewers' left and right eyes providing3D to all viewers. Again similar operation can be achieved with all thedirectional backlights described herein.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of amulti-viewer directional display device as an example including animaging directional backlight. As shown in FIG. 8, at least two 2Dimages may be directed towards a pair of viewers 45, 47 so that eachviewer may watch a different image on the spatial light modulator 48.The two 2D images of FIG. 8 may be generated in a similar manner asdescribed with respect to FIG. 7 in that the two images would bedisplayed in sequence and in synchronization with sources whose light isdirected toward the two viewers. One image is presented on the spatiallight modulator 48 in a first phase, and a second image is presented onthe spatial light modulator 48 in a second phase different from thefirst phase. In correspondence with the first and second phases, theoutput illumination is adjusted to provide first and second viewingwindows 26, 44 respectively. An observer with both eyes in window 26will perceive a first image while an observer with both eyes in window44 will perceive a second image.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a privacy directional displaydevice which includes an imaging directional backlight. 2D displaysystems may also utilize directional backlighting for security andefficiency purposes in which light may be primarily directed at the eyesof a first viewer 45 as shown in FIG. 9. Further, as illustrated in FIG.9, although first viewer 45 may be able to view an image on device 50,light is not directed towards second viewer 47. Thus second viewer 47 isprevented from viewing an image on device 50. Each of the embodiments ofthe present disclosure may advantageously provide autostereoscopic, dualimage or privacy display functions.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating in side view the structureof a time multiplexed directional display device as an example includingan imaging directional backlight. Further, FIG. 10 shows in side view anautostereoscopic directional display device, which may include thestepped waveguide 1 and a Fresnel lens 62 arranged to provide theviewing window 26 in a window plane 106 at a nominal viewing distancefrom the spatial light modulator for a substantially collimated outputacross the stepped waveguide 1 output surface. A vertical diffuser 68may be arranged to extend the height of the window 26 further. The lightmay then be imaged through the spatial light modulator 48. Theilluminator array 15 may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) that may,for example, be phosphor converted blue LEDs, or may be separate RGBLEDs. Alternatively, the illuminator elements in illuminator array 15may include a uniform light source and spatial light modulator arrangedto provide separate illumination regions. Alternatively the illuminatorelements may include laser light source(s). The laser output may bedirected onto a diffuser by means of scanning, for example, using agalvo or MEMS scanner. In one example, laser light may thus be used toprovide the appropriate illuminator elements in illuminator array 15 toprovide a substantially uniform light source with the appropriate outputangle, and further to provide reduction in speckle. Alternatively, theilluminator array 15 may be an array of laser light emitting elements.Additionally in one example, the diffuser may be a wavelength convertingphosphor, so that illumination may be at a different wavelength to thevisible output light.

A further wedge type directional backlight is generally discussed byU.S. Pat. No. 7,660,047 which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. The wedge type directional backlight and optical valve furtherprocess light beams in different ways. In the wedge type waveguide,light input at an appropriate angle will output at a defined position ona major surface, but light rays will exit at substantially the sameangle and substantially parallel to the major surface. By comparison,light input to a stepped waveguide of an optical valve at a certainangle may output from points across the first side, with output angledetermined by input angle. Advantageously, the stepped waveguide of theoptical valve may not require further light re-direction films toextract light towards an observer and angular non-uniformities of inputmay not provide non-uniformities across the display surface.

There will now be described some waveguides, directional backlights anddirectional display devices that are based on and incorporate thestructures of FIGS. 1 to 10 above. Except for the modifications and/oradditional features which will now be described, the above descriptionapplies equally to the following waveguides, directional backlights anddisplay devices, but for brevity will not be repeated. The waveguidesdescribed below may be incorporated into a directional backlight or adirectional display device as described above. Similarly, thedirectional backlights described below may be incorporated into adirectional display device as described above.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a directional displayapparatus comprising a directional display device and a control system.The arrangement and operation of the control system will now bedescribed and may be applied, with changes as necessary, to each of thedisplay devices disclosed herein. The directional backlight comprises awaveguide 1 and an array 15 of illumination elements 15 a-15 n arrangedas described above. The control system is arranged to selectivelyoperate the illumination elements 15 a-15 n to direct light intoselectable viewing windows.

The reflective end 4 converges the reflected light. Fresnel lens 62 maybe arranged to cooperate with reflective end 4 to achieve viewingwindows at a viewing plane. Transmissive spatial light modulator 48 maybe arranged to receive the light from the directional backlight. Theimage displayed on the SLM 48 may be presented in synchronization withthe illumination of the light sources of the array 15.

The control system may comprise a sensor system arranged to detect theposition of the observer 99 relative to the display device 100. Thesensor system comprises a position sensor 406, such as a camera arrangedto determine the position of an observer 408; and a head positionmeasurement system 404 that may for example comprise a computer visionimage processing system. The position sensor 406 may comprise knownsensors including those comprising cameras and image processing unitsarranged to detect the position of observer faces. Position sensor 406may further comprise a stereo sensor arranged to improve the measure oflongitudinal position compared to a monoscopic camera. Alternativelyposition sensor 406 may comprise measurement of eye spacing to give ameasure of required placement of respective arrays of viewing windowsfrom tiles of the directional display.

The control system may further comprise an illumination controller andan image controller 403 that are both supplied with the detectedposition of the observer supplied from the head position measurementsystem 404.

The illumination controller comprises an LED controller 402 arranged todetermine which light sources of array 15 should be switched to directlight to respective eyes of observer 408 in cooperation with waveguide1; and an LED driver 400 arranged to control the operation of lightsources of light source array 15 by means of drive lines 407. Theillumination controller 74 selects the illuminator elements 15 to beoperated in dependence on the position of the observer detected by thehead position measurement system 72, so that the viewing windows 26 intowhich light is directed are in positions corresponding to the left andright eyes of the observer 99. In this manner, the lateral outputdirectionality of the waveguide 1 corresponds with the observerposition.

The image controller 403 is arranged to control the SLM 48 to displayimages. To provide an autostereoscopic display, the image controller 403and the illumination controller may operate as follows. The imagecontroller 403 controls the SLM 48 to display temporally multiplexedleft and right eye images and the LED controller 402 operates the lightsources 15 to direct light into viewing windows in positionscorresponding to the left and right eyes of an observer synchronouslywith the display of left and right eye images. In this manner, anautostereoscopic effect is achieved using a time division multiplexingtechnique. In one example, a single viewing window may be illuminated byoperation of light source 409 (which may comprise one or more LEDs) bymeans of drive line 410 wherein other drive lines are not driven asdescribed elsewhere.

The head position measurement system 404 detects the position of anobserver relative to the display device 100. The LED controller 402selects the light sources 15 to be operated in dependence on theposition of the observer detected by the head position measurementsystem 404, so that the viewing windows into which light is directed arein positions corresponding to the left and right eyes of the observer.In this manner, the output directionality of the waveguide 1 may beachieved to correspond with the viewer position so that a first imagemay be directed to the observer's right eye in a first phase anddirected to the observer's left eye in a second phase.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating in side view, the structureof a directional display device comprising a wedge directional backlightcomprising a wedge waveguide 1104 with faceted mirror end 1102. Thefirst guide surface 1105 of the waveguide 1104 is arranged to guidelight by total internal reflection and the second guide surface 1106 issubstantially planar and inclined at an angle to direct light indirections that break the total internal reflection for outputting lightthrough the first guide surface 1105. The display device furthercomprises a deflection element 1108 extending across the first guidesurface 1105 of the waveguide 1104 for deflecting light from array 1101of light sources towards the normal to the first guide surface 1105.Further the waveguide 1104 may further comprise a reflective end 1102for reflecting input light back through the waveguide 1104, the secondguide 1106 surface being arranged to deflect light as output lightthrough the first guide surface 1105 after reflection from thereflective end 1102. The reflective end has positive optical power inthe lateral direction (y-axis) in a similar manner to the reflective endshown in FIG. 5 for example. Further facets in the reflective end 1102deflect the reflected light cones within the waveguide 1104 to achieveoutput coupling on the return path. Thus viewing windows are produced ina similar manner to that shown in FIG. 11. Further the directionaldisplay may comprise a spatial light modulator 1110 and parallax element1100 aligned to the spatial light modulator 1110 that is furtherarranged to provide optical windows. A control system 72 similar to thatshown in FIG. 11 may be arranged to provide control of directionalillumination providing viewing windows 26 and windows 109 from theparallax element and aligned spatial light modulator.

Thus a first guide surface may be arranged to guide light by totalinternal reflection and the second guide surface may be substantiallyplanar and inclined at an angle to direct light in directions that breakthat total internal reflection for outputting light through the firstguide surface, and the display device may further comprise a deflectionelement extending across the first guide surface of the waveguide fordeflecting light towards the normal to the first guide surface.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top, front and bottomviews a stepped imaging waveguide comprising a continuously curvedmirror end 4 and rectangular mirror end 4 and input end 2. Light source15 illuminates the input aperture of the directional imaging waveguidesuch as stepped waveguide 1. Light rays 200 are reflected by curvedmirror 4 and are collimated. Across line 202, the output light reflectedby facets 12 may have a luminance profile with respect to positionacross the width of the waveguide 1.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating variation of luminance 204 with lateralposition 206 across the waveguide 1 for the waveguide arrangements ofFIG. 13. Profile 208 that is substantially flat is achieved.Advantageously, high lateral uniformity is provided for a central lightsource 15 of array of light sources 15 a-n.

The continuous curve to the mirror end 4 increases the footprint of thewaveguide in comparison to conventional scattering waveguides,increasing bezel size. It would be desirable to reduce the bezel of thewaveguide 1 while maintaining lateral uniformity of profile 208.

In the present embodiments, the uniformity profile 208 across the line202 represents the spatial uniformity across the waveguide 1. This isseparate to the angular uniformity across the array of optical windows.Desirably a backlight is arranged to provide high spatial uniformity,typically greater than 70% across the display area. However, the samebacklight may provide angular uniformity in wide angle mode that may begreater than 20% across a +/−45 degrees angular range. In Privacy, 3D,high efficiency and outdoors operation modes, the angular uniformity maybe greater than 2% across a +/−45 degrees. Thus spatial and angularuniformity are different properties. The present embodiments arearranged to provide desirable spatial uniformity for directionalbacklight with controllable angular uniformity in a lateral direction.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top, front and bottomviews a stepped imaging waveguide 1 comprising a Fresnel reflector end 4and rectangular mirror end 4 and input end 2. Fresnel reflector has anoptical axis 199. Fresnel reflector may comprise facets 220 arranged toachieve a collimating function to light rays 200 and drafts 222. Afterreflection from curved facets 12, optical windows 26 are provided asdescribed elsewhere herein.

Thus a directional waveguide 1 comprising: an input end 2; first andsecond opposed, laterally extending guide surfaces 6, 8 for guidinglight along the waveguide 1; and a reflective end 4 facing the input end2 for reflecting the input light back along the waveguide 1, the secondguide surface 8 being arranged to deflect the reflected input lightthrough the first guide surface 6 as output light, and the waveguide 1being arranged to direct the output light into optical windows 26 inoutput directions that are distributed in a lateral direction (y-axis)in dependence on the input position of the input light.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view light loss atthe facets of a Fresnel reflector end 4. The reflective end 4 is thus aFresnel reflector comprising alternating reflective facets 220 and draftfacets 222, the reflective facets providing the Fresnel reflector withpositive optical power. Thus substantially collimated light rays 200 maybe provided for source 15 by the Fresnel reflector. Off-axis light beam224 is incident on the facets 220 that are shadowed by drafts 222. Thusacross pitch A of the facets 220, reflected beam 228 of width a isprovided. The reflection efficiency may then be given by the ratio a/A:

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{a}{A} = \frac{\cos\left( {\theta\; i} \right)}{\cos\left( {{\theta\; i} - {{2 \cdot \theta}\; f}} \right)}} & {{eqn}.\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$where θ_(i) is the incident angle and θ_(f) is the facet 220 angle. Thusfor a central light source 15 the efficiency reduces with lateralposition 206.

The reduction in efficiency increases with facet angle for light that isnear vertically collimated and introduces a center/edge non-uniformhead-on brightness. Lateral non-uniformities may be reduced by variousmethods as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/097,750filed Apr. 13, 2016, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The lateral uniformity and efficiency of a directional waveguide with areflective end may be determined by the structure of the appliedreflective coating including thickness and area coverage. It would bedesirable to provide facets of a Fresnel mirror that are efficientlycoated.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view a coatingmethod for a Fresnel reflector with fixed draft angle, that is the angleof draft facet 222 with respect to the x-axis direction is substantiallyconstant. As the angle of the reflective facets 220 varies with lateralposition across the width of a Fresnel reflector, then the internalangles 1602, 1604, 1606 between the draft facet 222 and reflective facet220 vary across the width of the Fresnel reflector.

During the coating of the reflective layer 1605, coating material 1603may be provided with certain directionality, for example in anevaporation coating apparatus. Such directionality of coating mayprovide regions 1607 that are less well coated than other regions.Regions 1607 may be at the low point of the reflective facet, as shownin FIG. 18 this degrades reflection efficiency of the coated facet 220.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view reflectionefficiency at the facets of a Fresnel reflector with incompletemetallization of reflective facets. In operation light cone 224 that isincident and angle θi on the reflective facets 220 is reflected intobeams 226, 228, 230. The width a may be reduced, and thus the efficiencya/A may be reduced. Further the roll-off of efficiency with lateralposition is degraded in comparison to well coated surfaces and thus thelateral uniformity is further degraded.

It would be desirable to increase efficiency and lateral uniformityusing directional coating methods.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view a coatingmethod for a Fresnel reflector with variable draft angle. Facets 222 mayhave a constant internal angle 1611, thus the draft facets are notvertical and coating layer 1605 efficiency may be improved, particularlyin the region 1607 at the low point of the coated facet 220.

It would be desirable to provide Fresnel mirror facet shape that hashigh yield during injection molding processes.

FIGS. 20-21 are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view cutting ofmolds for a reflective end for first and second draft angles. FIG. 20shows mold 1670 that may for example be nickel or copper, and is formedwith an inverted structure to the waveguide 1. After injection ofmaterial such as PMMA or polycarbonate, then the mold 1670 is detachedfrom the waveguide 1 by relative movement in direction 1680. Suchmovement causes high resistance force 1682 at the draft facet 222 thatmay damage the extracted part and/or tool during extraction. Incomparison as shown in FIG. 222, reflective facets (prior to coating)and draft facets 222 that have a constant internal angle 1611 havereduced extraction pressure over the area of the draft facet, thusreducing potential damage to waveguide 1 and tool 1670, advantageouslyimproving extraction yield.

It would be desirable to reduce cutting time for tool 1670.

FIGS. 22-23 are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view release ofa reflective end from a mold during a mold release step for first andsecond draft angles. As shown in FIG. 22 for substantially paralleldraft tool facets 222T, then cutting tool such as a diamond 1676 isrequired to provide multiple passes across the tool surface 220T,increasing cutting time and potential for tool misalignment and toolingartefacts. In comparison as shown in FIG. 23, for constant internalangle 1611 then a single diamond 1672 can be used with axis 1678direction that rotates by angle 1679 between cuts, each cut providing asingle pair of tool draft facet 222T and tool facet 220T surfaces.Advantageously cut time may be reduced.

FIG. 24 is a photograph illustrating patterning artifact arising from atooling quantization error in the center of a Fresnel reflector, whenimaged from an off-axis position. In region 240, vertical bright anddark lines can be seen that appear to emanate from the center of theFresnel reflector. Such lines rotate with viewing position. It would bedesirable to remove the appearance of such lines to provide higheruniformity.

It would be desirable to provide a Fresnel mirror that can be providedfrom tooling and replication processes that have a minimum achievablereproducible step height between adjacent facets.

FIG. 25 is a schematic graph illustrating the height of facets in thecenter of a Fresnel mirror comprising a central region with facets ofincreased width compared to the outer regions. In the central region,the step height change between facets reduces. Such small step heightsare not easily reproducible in conventional processes for injectionmolding of optical waveguides. For example, minimum desirable stepheight may be 1 μm.

A plot of Fresnel reflector surface height 249 against lateral position206 is shown for a tooled part that has a minimum quantized step height,but that is arranged to match the profile of a smooth surface. Thus, inan outer region 244 the facets 220 and draft facet 222 regions of theFresnel reflector can be provided with a regular pitch. However, in thecentral region 242, the quantization of cutting of the tool means thatthe separation between the steps may be increased to provide the facet220 and draft facets 222. In the region 242 the draft height is the sameas the quantization height of the tooling method, for example, theminimum achievable cutting height.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view diffraction oflight from the facets of the Fresnel mirror of FIG. 25, being thereflection of light from the structure of FIG. 25. Light rays 246 in thecenter region of the Fresnel reflector are subjected to relatively lowlevels of diffraction because of the low phase structure and reflectedas rays 248 by Fresnel reflector facets relatively un-diffracted. By wayof comparison rays 247 that are incident on outer regions 244 encounterphase structure from the facets 220 of the Fresnel reflector and arescattered into cone 250.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view the change inphase height of adjacent facets of a Fresnel mirror. The relative heightof facets 220 and draft facets 222 in the direction parallel to theoptical axis 199. Thus there is typically a small phase shift ofreflected light due to step 267 between adjacent facets 219, 220 of theFresnel mirror in region 244. However in the central region 242, nophase shift may be provided. Thus for reflected the diffractionproperties may vary between regions 242, 244.

FIGS. 28-29 are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view the originof the patterning artifact of FIG. 24. FIG. 28 shows the imaging oflight source array 15 with gaps 252 between the respective light sourcesof array 15. The blur created by cones 250 blurs the gaps between thelight sources, acting in a similar manner to a diffuser at the plane ofthe Fresnel reflector and thus a patterning artifact is not seen.However in the central region, the diffraction is not present, thus thegaps 252 remain visible to the observer as patterning of rays 248. Thusthe lack of diffraction in the center of the Fresnel reflector mayprovide visibility of gaps between light sources, and visual patterningacross the field.

It would be desirable to remove the visibility of the patterningartifact from the center of the Fresnel reflector.

FIG. 30A is a schematic graph illustrating a correction of thepatterning artifact of FIG. 24. A directional waveguide 1 may comprisean input end 2; first and second opposed, laterally extending guidesurfaces 6, 8 for guiding light along the waveguide; and a reflectiveend 4 facing the input end 2 for reflecting the input light back alongthe waveguide 1, the second guide surface 8 being arranged to deflectthe reflected input light through the first guide surface 6 as outputlight, and the waveguide 1 being arranged to direct the output lightinto optical windows 26 in output directions that are distributed in alateral direction in dependence on the input position of the inputlight. The reflective end 4 is a Fresnel reflector comprisingalternating reflective facets 220 and draft facets 222, the reflectivefacets 220 providing the Fresnel reflector with positive optical power,and, in at least a center region 242 of the Fresnel reflector, the depthof the draft facets 222 parallel to the optical axis of the reflectiveend being greater than the depth of the reflective facets 220.

FIG. 30B is a schematic diagram illustrating the reflection of lightfrom the structure of FIG. 30A. Light rays 246 in the center region ofthe Fresnel reflector are subjected to substantially the samediffraction effects as the rays 247 at the edges of the Fresnelreflector. Thus light cones 250, 256 are provided with substantially thesame diffusion effects. The width of the reflective facets laterallyacross the reflective end may be at most 0.5 mm, and preferably at most0.25 mm.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detail of the relativeheight of adjacent facets in a central region of a phase modifiedFresnel mirror. Facets 220, 219 a, 215 a represent the location offacets in an uncorrected Fresnel mirror during operation of amanufactured waveguide such facets have small phase steps and furthermay not be accurately reproduced. Thus diffraction is reduced in theregion of small steps between adjacent facets.

Facets 219 b and 215 b illustrate modified facet locations. Thus step219 p between facet 220 and 219 a has been increased to phase step 265 pbetween facets 220 and 219 b. Further step 215 p between facets 219 aand 215 a has been increased to step 239 p between facets 219 b and 215b.

The draft facet 222 surfaces may be parallel to the optical axis 199 ormay be inclined to provide more straightforward release during moldingof the waveguide 1. The pitch of the reflective facets laterally acrossthe reflective end may be constant. The depth 265 of each of the draftfacets may be at least 0.5 μm.

Thus an additional step height 265 may be provided in the central regionbetween adjacent facets 220, 219 b. The additional step height 265 maybe different between different adjacent facets. The depth of each of thedraft facets may be at least 0.5 μm.

The diffraction properties of adjacent facets may be determined by therelative phase steps between said facets. The steps 219 p, 215 p thuscomprise phase heights for a given wavelength which may be for examplebe 530 μm. The physical height 265 may have the same phase height as thephase height of the step 219 p. Thus the height 265 may be greater thana given value such as lμm but may vary in height such that the phaseheight of the step is the same as the phase height of the step 219 pthat would have been in the unmodified structure.

Advantageously the phase structure may be substantially matched to thephase structure of a perfectly reproduced structure, thus minimizingstreak artefacts from the center of the Fresnel reflector at end 4.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view a correctionof the patterning artifact of FIG. 24. Thus light cones 256, 250 createdby diffraction in regions 242, 244 of the Fresnel reflector both serveto provide diffusion of the gaps between the light sources.Advantageously the uniformity of the output is improved in comparison tothe arrangement of FIG. 25.

FIGS. 33A-33B are schematic diagrams illustrating a further Fresnelreflector design arranged to modify diffusion characteristics of theFresnel mirror. In particular, at regions 271 near to the edge of theFresnel reflector, some random orientation of angle may be provided togive a tilt angle of the nth facet 220 of θ_(n) wherein:θ_(n) =θf+δθ˜rand  eqn.4where θf is the unrandomized facet angle, rand is a pseudo random numberbetween 0 and 1, and δθ is approximately θdiff/10; where θdiff is thefull width half maximum of the system diffuser function in the planeparallel to the LEDs, and may be between 10 and 30 degrees for example.

Advantageously the diffusion of the Fresnel reflector can be controlledacross its width to improved control of lateral diffusion, improvingdisplay uniformity along line 202 with viewing angle.

In further embodiments, the pitch of the facets of the Fresnel reflectormay be varied. The variation may be in a random manner. Advantageouslythis reduces effects due to diffraction that can cause verticallystriped artefacts.

It would be desirable to provide a directional display that for off-axisviewing in Privacy mode has substantially uniform luminance that isminimized across the display area.

FIG. 34A is a schematic diagram illustrating in perspective front view,the location of bright triangles in a directional display operating inPrivacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axis viewing position. InFIG. 34A, off axis viewing may be illustrated as a trapezoidal imageappearance, corresponding to the visual appearance of off-axis viewingof a display including perspective effects. Off-axis viewing in Privacymode may for example be illustrated by display appearance at angles of45°, although other viewing angles may also be considered.

FIG. 34A further describes artefacts that are present in the privacy andwide angle modes of directionally illuminated display systems where thedraft facets 222 are substantially parallel and substantially parallelto the x-axis across the width of the Fresnel reflector at reflectiveend 4 of the waveguide 1.

In privacy mode of operation, image area 1000 comprises a central region1002 with low luminance and higher luminance artefact regions 1004, 1006that are typically triangular and associated with corners of the area1000. With input end 2 at the lower side and reflective end 4 at theupper side then an observer at 45° viewing from the left side of thedisplay will see a brighter triangle artefact region 1006 near the topleft hand corner and side 22 and bright triangle artefact region 1004 inthe bottom right hand corner and side 24. Such regions 1004, 1006 areundesirable and degrade privacy performance. Further in wide angle mode,such triangles may create non-uniformities and streak artefacts.

It would be desirable to reduce the increased luminance of regions 1004,1006 with respect to region 1002, thus improving appearance andincreasing the privacy (reducing luminance) of the off-axis image.

FIGS. 34B-C are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view, opticalraytraces illustrating the formation of bright triangles in adirectional display operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer inan off-axis viewing position.

For convenience of illustration, for example as shown in FIG. 34B, theoff-axis image is shown as rectangular where perspective effects havebeen removed. However, the raytraces refer to an image as seen by anobserver that may have perspective appearance as shown in FIG. 34A.

FIG. 34B further illustrates a raytrace wherein the draft facets 222 ofthe Fresnel reflector are parallel to the x-axis and are substantiallyparallel across the width of the reflective end.

FIG. 34B illustrates the formation of region 1004. For the illustrativepurpose of the raytrace, parallel rays 1005 corresponding to rays in thewaveguide that after exit are viewed at 45° from the left side are inputat input end 2. Rays 1005 are propagated through the waveguide 1 as raysback towards the input end 2. In the Privacy mode, array 15 a-n of lightsources is operated in the central region of the input side 2. If a ray1009 intersects with a light source of array 15 a-n at the input end 2,then an observer at 45° will observe illumination of bright triangle inregion 1004.

FIG. 34C illustrates the formation of region 1006. For the illustrativepurpose of the raytrace, parallel rays 1007 (that are the rays 1005reflected at side 22) corresponding to rays in the waveguide that afterexit are viewed at 45° from the left side are input at input end 2. Rays1007 are propagated through the waveguide 1 as rays back towards theinput end 2. If a ray 1011 intersects with a light source of array 15a-n at the input end 2, then an observer at 45° will observeillumination of bright triangle in region 1006.

It would be desirable to remove rays 1009, 1011 that intersect witharray 15 a-n, thus removing light from the light source array 15 a-nthat is directed into regions 1004, 1006.

The origin of the rays 1009, 1011 will now be described in more detailwith respect to reflection from draft facets 222 of the Fresnelreflector.

FIGS. 35-39 are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view, ray pathsthat contribute to bright triangles in a directional display operatingin Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axis viewing position.FIGS. 35-38 are illustrated in a manner similar to FIGS. 34B-C in thatthey represent the image 1000 seen by an off-axis observer to the leftside of the display but are shown with perspective cues removed forconvenience of illustration.

FIG. 35 illustrates in front view a stray light ray 1102 from lightsource 15 a-n. Light ray 1102 reflects from reflective end 4, and againat input side 2 at position 1104. Reflection at position 1104 may be dueto Fresnel reflections, total internal reflection from inputmicrostructures, reflections from light source packages and other straylight reflections. Position 1104 then represents a virtual light sourcethat injects light rays 1103 back into the waveguide 1. Light ray 1103may be incident on side 22 that may further comprise a side mirror 1100as described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/097,750 filed Apr. 13, 2016, herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. After reflection from reflective end 4, light ray 1103 may beoutput by extraction at light extraction features 12 into region 1004.Undesirably the luminance of regions 1004 and 1002 may be increased.Such rays 1103, 1106 may be reduced in intensity by reducing thereflectivity of the input side in region 1104 described in more detailin U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0307946, herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIG. 36 illustrates in front view a stray light ray 1140 from lightsource 15 a. Ray 1140 is reflected from side 22 and from end 4. Aftertotal internal reflection at side 24 then light is extracted by features12 within the region 1004. Such light rays 1140 can be reduced inluminance by controlling the luminous intensity of light at high anglesfrom the source 15 a within the waveguide 1, by design of inputmicrostructure at side 2 in the region of source 15 a.

FIG. 37 illustrates in front view a stray light ray 1142 from lightsource 15 a. Light ray 1142 may be reflected at input side 1144 as ray1148. Ray 1148 may be reflected at side 24 and is incident on region1146 of the Fresnel reflector at reflective end 4. As will be describedherein, some rays may be reflected back towards the side 24 and are thendirected into region 1004 where they are extracted by the extractionfeatures 12 towards an off-axis observer.

FIGS. 38-39 illustrate in front view light rays 1030, 1031, 1032 fromlight source 15 a that are incident on the reflective end 4 thatcomprises a Fresnel reflector with substantially vertical drafts 222 andreflective coating 1605 formed on both reflective facet 220 and draftfacet 222. Light ray 1032, is a primary light ray for on-axis viewingand is reflected directly from reflective facet 220. Light ray 1031 isincident on side 24 and draft facet 222 before facet 220 so that thefinal direction is the same as ray 1032 and provides useful light foron-axis viewing.

In comparison, light ray 1030 that is reflected from side 24 and isincident on the reflective facet 220 before the draft facet 222 isreflected back towards the side 24. At side 24 some light may betransmitted (not shown), however some light may be reflected back intothe waveguide 1, and contribute to regions 1004, 1006 as illustrated inFIGS. 34B-C and FIG. 37.

It would be desirable to reduce the luminance in regions 1004, 1006 dueto rays 1030 that reflect from reflective facet 220 before draft facet222.

FIGS. 40A-40B are schematic diagrams illustrating in front view,arrangements of draft facets that reduce luminance from ray paths thatcontribute to bright triangles in a directional display by reducing thereflectivity of the drafts 222.

FIG. 40A illustrates uncoated or partially coated draft facets 222, thusthe reflectivity of the drafts 222 is reduced in comparison to thearrangement of FIG. 39 and ray 1043 is incident on the facet afterreflection from side 24 is transmitted through the draft facet 222because of no coating, or reduced coating reflectivity in region 1607.Further, ray 1042 may be directly transmitted through the draft. Thusthe draft facets 222 are arranged to have a lower reflectivity than thereflective facets 220.

In embodiments where double reflected rays act to illuminate undesirableregions 1004, 1006 of a display such light can be minimized by reducingthe reflectivity of the draft facets 222 without affecting the primaryfunction of the Fresnel reflector that is provided by the reflectivefacets 220.

Advantageously, the luminance of rays 1043 is reduced, and the brighttriangles in regions 1004, 1006 may be reduced, thus improving privacyuniformity.

The reflectivity of the coating in region 1607 may be reduced usingdirectional coating methods such as illustrated in FIG. 17. Thus thedraft facets 222 are not coated with the reflective material 1605.Alternatively the draft facets 222 are coated with a lower reflectivityin comparison with the reflective facets 220 by means of a thinnerreflective layer, or partial area of coating coverage of a reflectivecoating in region 1607.

FIG. 40B illustrates a further embodiment wherein a light absorbinglayer 1611 may be provided in addition to the reflective layer 1605.Such light absorbing layer may be an ink, pigment, or other absorbingmaterial that may be formed on the reflective end 4 after forming thereflective layer 1605. Coating may comprise layer formation methodsincluding evaporation, sputter, printing, dip coating, spray coating andother known application methods for reflective and absorbing layers.

Advantageously the intensity of rays 1030 as shown in FIG. 39 isreduced, and thus the luminance of bright triangles in regions 1004,1006 is reduced. Image uniformity in Privacy mode is improved, and straylight reduced.

In other words, the undesirable bright triangles 1004, 1006 are producedby light that double reflects off the draft facets 222 and thenreflective facets 220 of a Fresnel reflector at the reflective end 4with near vertical drafts 222. To reduce this and other artefacts formedform the same double reflection it is possible to reduce the specularreflectivity of the draft surfaces. In some case the reflectivity can bereduced through not coating them with reflecting metal retaining their−5% bare surface reflectivity for all but totally internally reflectedlight. In other cases selective coating with absorbing material may beconsidered. In both cases selective coating techniques can be realizedwith directional deposition such as evaporative methods.

FIG. 40C is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, ray paths ina waveguide comprising reflectively coated reflective facets and diffusedraft facets. Another method of reducing specular reflectivity of thedraft surfaces is to introduce a diffusing surface structure which couldalso inhibit later coating methods. Thus draft facet 222 may be providedwith a diffusing microstructure 1609. Such diffusion creates ray bundle1035 that may further reduces the intensity of rays that are directedtowards regions 1004, 1006. Advantageously uniformity and stray lightfor off-axis observers in privacy mode are improved.

It would be desirable to improve privacy performance with uniformlycoated Fresnel reflector facets.

FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with a vertical draft facet. As shown in FIGS. 34B-C forvertical draft facets 222 and combined in a single raytrace, theexistence of rays 1019 that intersect with (i.e., emanate from) thecentral emission region from array 15 a-n provides undesirable lightthat will be visible in the triangular regions 1004,1006.

FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with an inclined draft facet. Thus along the direction(x-axis) into the waveguide 1 away from the reflective end 4 (i.e.,downwards in FIG. 42), the draft facets 222 from are inclined at anangle 1021 inwardly towards the optical axis 199 of the Fresnelreflector. Thus, the draft facets 22 shown in FIG. 42 as being on theright-hand side are inclined in the downwards direction inwardly towardsthe axis 199 from right to left. The draft facets 222 on the left-handside (not shown in FIG. 42) are a mirror image and so are inclined inthe downwards direction inwardly towards the axis 199 from left toright. The raytrace of FIG. 42 illustrates an angle 1021 of 5°. Withsuch a vertical draft angle 1021, the density of rays hitting thecentral 15 a-n region increases slightly, implying undesirably a slightincrease in off-axis visibility of bright triangles in the privacy mode.

FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft and facet of aFresnel mirror with an absorbing draft facet that is inclined at anangle 1021 of 5° to the optical axis 199. Interrupting the doublereflection path of rays from reflective facet 220 then draft facet 222by reducing the reflectivity of the drafts 1021 to zero thus removesthose rays emanating from the central region 15 a-n such that rays 1017do not intersect with light sources 15 a-n. Advantageously there wouldbe no bright triangles in regions 1004, 1006 visible from ray path 1017.

It would be desirable to reduce luminance of regions 1004, 1006 for auniformly coated Fresnel reflector.

FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising a constant internal angle 1025 between thereflective facets 220 and draft facets 222. Thus the internal angles1025 between adjacent draft facets 222 and reflective facets 220 are thesame. Further, each reflective facet 220 may be laterally straight,i.e., straight in the lateral direction, which is horizontal in FIG. 44.Although each reflective facet 220 is straight, the reflective facets220 have different inclinations in the lateral direction, which providesthe overall curvature and optical power of the Fresnel reflector.

In the case where the facets and drafts are either structured or curvedthe internal angle would be defined as that between the average surfaceangles of two surfaces. Fixed internal angles less than 90 degrees mayintroduce undesirable ‘overhanging’ draft facets 222 for the veryshallow angled facets close to the optical axis 199 of the Fresnelreflector preventing conventional mold release during manufacturing. Thedraft facet angle may preferably not be substantially greater than theangles of rays directly illuminating the Fresnel reflector from theregion 15 a-n as this can compromise performance. Such constraint may beachieved by an internal angle 1025 that is less than approximately 100degrees.

Thus the angle 1025 between the draft facet 222 and reflective facet maybe from 90 to 100 degrees and preferably from 90 to 95 degrees.

Advantageously, having the same draft/facet angle provides positionindependent control of those rays that reflect off both draft andfacets. For example, when the draft/facet angle is close to a 90 degreeright angle, double reflected rays (from reflective facet 220 and draftfacet 222) retro-reflect within the waveguide 1 preserving any incidentray's propagation angle.

High angled light from central LED sources of array 15 a-n incident on aretro-reflecting Fresnel reflector via the waveguide 1 sides 22, 24would return at angles that cannot exit the waveguide 1 providing for animproved privacy display function. A further advantage of the nearretro-reflection property is that it enables light from LEDs from array15 a-n to efficiently fill triangular void regions of the same physicalside of the guide in wide angle mode as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/097,750 and U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0307831, herein incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Advantageously privacy uniformity and stray light levels are improved byreducing luminance of regions 1004, 1006 without the need for complexcoating methodologies.

Also a fixed facet/draft angle >90 degrees ensures non-vertical draftangles improving mold release when injection molding manufacturingtechniques are used as described in FIG. 17.

FIG. 45 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft facet 222 andreflective facet 220 of a Fresnel reflector with a constant internalangle 1021 of 91 degrees. Rays 1021 are not incident on light sourcearray 15 a-n and thus no light is directed from the array to brighttriangles in regions 1004, 1006. Advantageously Privacy uniformity isimproved.

It would be desirable to minimize streaking in wide angle mode that maybe observed at the boundary of regions 1004, 1006 and region 1002 (asillustrated for example in FIG. 34A) for off-axis viewing.

FIGS. 46-47 are photographs illustrating streak artefacts for off axisviewing of a directional display optical stack as will be described inFIG. 58 comprising planar Fresnel mirror reflective facets 220. Thephotographs are taken at high off-axis angle from the right hand side inwide angle mode where all LEDs of a light source array 15 a-n areilluminating the waveguide 1. For illustrative purposes, light sourcearray 15 a-n with gaps 1175 is marked on the photograph.

The highlighted artefacts 1200, 1202 in both photos arise from thediscrete spatial distribution of the LED sources in the array 15 a-n,with gaps 1175 between LEDs. The artefacts 1200, 1202 may arise frominsufficient diffusion of the light in the area diffuser in opticalstack 2208 of FIG. 58. Introducing more diffusion in the form of furtherdiffusing sheets after the output of the waveguide has a small effect asthe artefacts 1200, 1202 stem from aberrated, angular tolerant onedimensional images of the sources of the array 15 a-n. Further areadiffusers may increase stray light and thus degrade the privacy levelsseen by off-axis observers.

It would be desirable to provide further diffusion of the discrete lightsources of the array 15 a-n to remove streak artefacts 1200, 1202.

FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising vertical drafts and planar reflecting facets.Parallel incident light rays 1050 are reflected as rays 1052 that remainparallel across the width of the reflective facets 220.

FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising vertical drafts and curved reflecting facets 1048.Thus each reflective facet 1048 is laterally curved, i.e., curved in thelateral direction, which is horizontal in FIG. 4. The lateral curvaturemeans that for parallel input rays 1050, reflected rays 1054, 1056, 1058are no longer parallel and the lateral curvature introduces diffusion.Such diffusion provides diffusion of the discrete light sources of thearray 15 a-n and advantageously may reduce or remove visibility ofartefacts 1200, 1202. Although each reflective facet 220 is laterallycurved, that lateral curvature does not provide the overall opticalpower. However, the curved reflective facets 220 have differentinclinations in the lateral direction, which does provides the overallcurvature and optical power of the Fresnel reflector. The radius ofcurvature of the individual reflective facets is different from thenominal radius of curvature of the overall Fresnel reflector caused bythe differing inclinations in the lateral direction.

FIG. 50 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising planar drafts, curved reflecting facets and aconstant internal angle. Advantageously, streak artefacts 1200, 1202 andbright triangle regions 1004, 1006 may be reduced or removed. Furthermanufacturing yield may be improved due to improved mold release.

FIG. 51 is a schematic diagram illustrating in front view, an opticalraytrace illustrating the formation of bright triangles in a directionaldisplay operating in Privacy mode as seen for an observer in an off-axisviewing position for rays that are incident on both draft facet 222 andreflective facet 1048 of a Fresnel reflector that is uniformly coated,with a constant internal angle 1025 and curved reflective facets 1048and planar draft facets 222.

The curvature of the facets advantageously achieves sufficient spreadingof rays to fill the angular gap between discrete LED sources of array 15a-n, thus reducing visibility of artefacts 1200, 1202 that areparticularly visible in wide angle mode while not introducing unwantedbright triangle artefacts in regions 1004, 1006 that are particularlyvisible in privacy mode. This is confirmed by the lack of centrallyemanating rays in this figure, with rays 1204 being located somedistance away from array 15 a-n.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 51, the radius of curvature ofthe reflective facets 220 is 3 mm with a facet pitch of 0.2 mm and awaveguide height of 180 mm. The radius of the reflective facet 220 isnot arranged to provide imaging of the light sources of the array oflight sources. The absolute radius of curvature of a reflective facet220 is substantially smaller than the radius of curvature of therespective reflective facet 220, if the facet 220 were to have a radiusthat is the same as the effective radius of the Fresnel mirror in thelateral direction. In other words, the radius of the reflective facet isarranged to achieve diffusion of the discrete light sources 15 a-n; andthe variation of nominal angle of the reflective facets in the lateraldirection across the Fresnel mirror is arranged to achieve imaging ofthe light sources of the array 15.

FIG. 52 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a Fresnelreflector comprising curved draft facets 1068, curved reflecting facets1047 and a constant internal angle. Such curvature of reflective facets1048 and draft facets 1048 may be provided by a cutting diamond with twocurved polished surfaces.

Advantageously, further diffusion can be provided of discrete sources 15a-n in wide angle mode.

FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, the centralregion 242 of a Fresnel reflector comprising curved reflecting facets1048 and a constant internal angle 1025. The arrangement of FIGS.30A-30B may be difficult to achieve during preparation of molding tooldue to alignment of cutting equipment in the center region as the cutdirection flips horizontally. Curved reflecting facets 1024 may provideincreased diffusion with cone angle 256 due to ray fans 1060 from eachreflecting facets, and diffuse central diffraction artefacts.Advantageously tool cutting tolerance may therefore be relaxed andcutting cost reduced.

FIG. 54 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view, a diamond forcutting curved facets and planar draft of a Fresnel mirror tool. Diamond1070 may be provided with curved cutting surface 1048D and 222D forforming reflecting facet 1048 and draft facet 222 respectively. Surface1074 may be provided to achieve convenient diamond insertion into themolding tool blank during cutting.

It may be desirable to form reflecting facets 220 that provide diffusionusing a molding tool that is fabricated using diamonds that have either(i) planar surfaces or (ii) single curved radii surfaces.

FIG. 55 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view reflectivefacets 220 and drafts 222 of a Fresnel reflector in which eachreflective facet has a microstructure 1150 arranged to provide lateralangular diffusion of the light reflected therefrom. The microstructuremay comprise a plurality of curved sub-facets 1151, 1153, 1155, 1157that are illustrated in FIG. 55 as being concave cylindrical facets withthe same pitch. In operation, incident parallel light rays 1152 arediffused after reflection into cone 1154, thus providing a diffusingfunction at the Fresnel reflector. Introducing microstructure 1150elements to the facet 220 surface causes diffusion that acts to fill ingaps in the ray bundles that emanate from the discrete LED sources ofarray 15 a-n with gaps 1175 as shown in FIG. 46. Diffusing light at theFresnel reflector provides ray distribution filling prior to the lightcollimation reducing the optical aberrations that can limit the fillingeffect of diffusing sheets at high angles. Advantageously, streaks maybe reduced for high angle viewing in wide angle mode. Further, aconstant internal angle 1025 may be provided to reduce the visibility ofbright triangles in regions 1004, 1006 as described elsewhere herein.Alternatively, the draft facet may be maintained at a constant angle,with the diffusion from the reflecting facet 220 providing adequatediffusion to reduce bright triangle visibility.

Advantageously, in comparison to the arrangement of FIG. 50 for example,microstructure 1150 elements are more easily defined and created withthe tools used for mass production.

FIG. 56 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view facets 1150 anddrafts 1022 of a Fresnel reflector in which each reflective facet 1022has an alternative convex microstructure arranged to provide lateralangular diffusion of the light reflected therefrom.

FIG. 57 is a schematic diagram illustrating in top view facets 1150 anddrafts 1022 of a Fresnel reflector in which each reflective facet 1022has an alternative spatially mixed microstructure arranged to providelateral angular diffusion of the light reflected therefrom. Thus region1156 of reflecting facet 220 may have a first microstructure arranged toprovide a first diffusion cone 1160 and a second region 1158 may have asecond microstructure arranged to provide a second diffusion cone 1162.The size of the diffusion cones 1160, 1162 may be controlled by means ofadjusting the pitch of a constant radius cutting diamond during toolmanufacture. Alternatively two different diamond radii may be used.

Advantageously, the amount of diffusion from the Fresnel reflector canbe tuned to optimize efficiency and uniformity.

FIG. 58 is a schematic diagram illustrating in perspective view, thestructure of a directional display device comprising a waveguide 1arranged with a spatial light modulator 48. Reflective end 4 may beprovided by a Fresnel mirror. Taper region 2204 may be arranged at theinput to the waveguide 1 to increase input coupling efficiency from thelight sources 15 a-15 n of the array of illuminator elements 15 and toincrease illumination uniformity. Shading layer 2206 with aperture 2203may be arranged to hide light scattering regions at the edge of thewaveguide 1. Rear reflector 2200 may comprise facets 2202 that arecurved and arranged to provide viewing windows 26 from groups of opticalwindows provided by imaging light sources of the array 15 to the windowplane 106. Optical stack 2208 may comprise reflective polarizers,retarder layers and diffusers. Rear reflectors 2200 and optical stack2208 are described further in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/186,862, filed Feb. 21, 2014, entitled “Directional backlight” (U.S.Patent Publication No. 2014/0240828) incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

Spatial light modulator 48 may comprise a liquid crystal display thatmay comprise an input polarizer 2210, TFT glass substrate 2212, liquidcrystal layer 2214, color filter glass substrate 2216 and outputpolarizer 2218. Red pixels 2220, green pixels 2222 and blue pixels 2224may be arranged in an array at the liquid crystal layer 2214. White,yellow, additional green or other color pixels (not shown) may befurther arranged in the liquid crystal layer to increase transmissionefficiency, color gamut or perceived image resolution.

In the embodiment of FIG. 58, injection of input light into thewaveguide is along the long edge. The physical size of the LED packagesof the array 15 and scatter from waveguide and other surfaces near theinput end 2 limit the minimum bezel width that can be achieved. It wouldbe desirable to reduce the width of the side bezel along the long edgesof the waveguide.

FIGS. 59A-D are schematic diagrams illustrating in perspective, front,side and perspective views respectively, an optical valve comprising alight source 1317 a arranged to achieve an on-axis optical window.

FIG. 59A illustrates in top view the propagation of light rays fromlight source arrays 1319 a-n and 1317 a-n arranged on the short side ofa directional waveguide. FIG. 59B similarly illustrates in side view thepropagation of rays from light source array 1317 a-n. FIG. 59Cillustrates in perspective view the formation of optical windows bylight source array 1317 a-n. FIG. 59D illustrates in perspective view adisplay apparatus comprising an optical stack comprising a waveguide asillustrated in FIGS. 59A-C.

As described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/167,203, towhich this application claims priority, a directional display device maycomprise a waveguide 1301 that further comprises a reflective end 1304that is elongated in a lateral direction (y-axis), the first and secondguide surfaces 6, 8 extending from laterally extending edges of thereflective end 1304, the waveguide 1301 further comprising side surfaces1322, 1324 extending between the first and second guide surfaces 6, 8,and wherein the light sources include an array 1317 of light sources1317 a-n arranged along a side surface 1322 to provide said input lightthrough that side surface 1322, and the reflective end 1304, comprisesfirst and second facets 1327, 1329 alternating with each other in thelateral direction, the first facets 1327 being reflective and formingreflective facets of a Fresnel reflector having positive optical powerin the lateral direction, the second facets 1329 forming draft facets ofthe Fresnel reflector, the Fresnel reflector 1304 having an optical axis1287 that is inclined towards the side surface 1322 in a direction inwhich the Fresnel reflector 1304 deflects input light from the array oflight sources 1317 into the waveguide 1301. Thus angle 1277 is non-zero.Similarly the second facets 1329 may be reflective and form reflectivefacets of a Fresnel reflector having positive optical power in thelateral direction, the Fresnel reflector 1304 having an optical axis1289 that is inclined towards the side surface 1324 in a direction inwhich the Fresnel reflector 1304 deflects input light from the array oflight sources 1319 into the waveguide 1301.

Illustrative light ray 1363 from source 1317 a may be arranged toprovide optical window 1326 a and light ray 1365 from source 1317 b maybe arranged to provide optical window 1326 b. Other layers such asdiffusers, prismatic reflection films, retarders and spatial lightmodulators may be arranged in series with the waveguide 1301 in asimilar manner to that described for waveguide 1 in the arrangement ofFIG. 58 for example.

Advantageously a thin backlight with low bezel size may be achieved.Such an arrangement has light sources that are not arranged on the longsides of the waveguide 1301 and thus may have small form factor. Furtherlight sources 1317 and 1319 may be arranged with overlapping opticalwindows, and thus display luminance may be increased.

It would be further desirable to achieve uniform illumination of awaveguide with a narrow bezel along the edges of the waveguide in wideangle mode of operation. The embodiments described elsewhere herein maybe applied to either the long side light source array input of FIG. 59Aor the short side light source array input of FIGS. 59B-E.

Advantageously uniform display appearance may be achieved in directionaldisplays with a narrow long side bezel. Such displays may be used inmobile displays such as cell phones or tablets as well as laptops, TVand monitors.

The embodiments related to stepped waveguide directional backlights maybe applied with changes as necessary to the wedge directional backlightas described herein.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provide an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/orrelativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance rangesfrom zero percent to ten percent and corresponds to, but is not limitedto, component values, angles, et cetera. Such relativity between itemsranges between approximately zero percent to ten percent.

Also incorporated by reference herein in their entireties are U.S.Patent Publication Nos. 2013/0335821 and 2014/0009508.

While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosedherein have been described above, it should be understood that they havebeen presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, thebreadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with any claims and their equivalents issuing from thisdisclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are providedin described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of suchissued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all ofthe above advantages.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistencywith the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provideorganizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize theembodiment(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure.Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a“Technical Field,” the claims should not be limited by the languagechosen under this heading to describe the so-called field. Further, adescription of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construedas an admission that certain technology is prior art to anyembodiment(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to beconsidered as a characterization of the embodiment(s) set forth inissued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to“invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there isonly a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple embodimentsmay be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claimsissuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define theembodiment(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In allinstances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their ownmerits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by theheadings set forth herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A directional waveguide comprising: aninput end; first and second opposed, laterally extending guide surfacesfor guiding light along the waveguide; and a reflective end facing theinput end for reflecting the input light back along the waveguide, thesecond guide surface being arranged to deflect the reflected input lightthrough the first guide surface as output light, and the waveguide beingarranged to direct the output light into optical windows in outputdirections that are distributed in a lateral direction in dependence onthe input position of the input light, wherein the reflective end is aFresnel reflector comprising alternating reflective facets and draftfacets, the reflective facets providing the Fresnel reflector withpositive optical power laterally, and, in at least a center region ofthe Fresnel reflector, the depth of the draft facets parallel to theoptical axis of the reflective end is greater than the depth of thereflective facets such that diffraction effects from the reflectivefacets in the center region of the Fresnel reflector are the same asdiffraction effects from the reflective facets in edge regions of theFresnel reflector outside the center region of the Fresnel reflector. 2.A directional waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the pitch of thereflective facets laterally across the reflective end is constant.
 3. Adirectional waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the width of thereflective facets laterally across the reflective end is at most 0.5 mm.4. A directional waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the height ofthe reflective end between the first and second guide surfaces has aprofile that is flat.
 5. A directional waveguide according to claim 1,wherein the first guide surface is arranged to guide light by totalinternal reflection and the second guide surface comprises a pluralityof light extraction features oriented to direct light guided along thewaveguide in directions allowing exit through the first guide surface asthe output light and intermediate regions between the light extractionfeatures that are arranged to guide light along the waveguide.
 6. Adirectional waveguide according to claim 5, wherein the second guidesurface has a stepped shape in which said light extraction features arefacets between the intermediate regions.
 7. A directional waveguideaccording to claim 5, wherein the light extraction features havepositive optical power in the lateral direction.
 8. A directionalbacklight comprising: a directional waveguide according to claim 1; andan array of input light sources arranged at different input positions ina lateral direction across the input end of the waveguide and arrangedto input input light into the waveguide.
 9. A directional display devicecomprising: a directional backlight according to claim 8; and atransmissive spatial light modulator arranged to receive the outputlight from the waveguide and to modulate it to display an image.
 10. Adirectional display apparatus comprising: a directional display deviceaccording to claim 9; and a control system arranged to control the lightsources.
 11. The directional backlight of claim 8, wherein the inputlight sources are arranged such that the optical windows overlap.
 12. Adirectional waveguide according to claim 1, wherein each reflectivefacet is laterally straight.
 13. A directional waveguide according toclaim 1, wherein each reflective facet is laterally curved.
 14. Adirectional waveguide according to claim 1, wherein each reflectivefacet has a microstructure arranged to provide lateral angular diffusionof the light reflected therefrom.
 15. A directional waveguide accordingto claim 1, wherein the depth of each of the draft facets is at least0.5 μm.